A supreme court ruling in 1973 known as Roe v. Wade made it a constitutional right for women to receive elective abortions within the United States. This law allowed women or even family members to terminate a pregnancy if desired without needing to meet specific medical criteria.

Now that it has been overturned, many are wondering what this means for abortion access across the country.

What Does the Overturning of Roe v. Wade Mean for the United States?

This recent ruling decided that the right to elective abortion is not constitutional without the need to meet medically specific criteria such as maternal health endangerment. Instead, this decision now rests with each state to determine whether or not to permit elective abortions.

Important to note is that in most states, there is always the option to end a pregnancy safely when maternal health is compromised. This scenario is a significant cause for serious concern, and maternal risk is always considered a top priority.

What Are the Abortion Restrictions in West Virginia?

According to the West Virginia Code, “Any person who shall administer to, or cause to be taken by, a woman, any drug or other thing, or use any means, with intent to destroy her unborn child, or to produce abortion or miscarriage, and shall thereby destroy such child, or produce such abortion or miscarriage, shall be guilty of a felony…”

However, as previously stated, if a situation arises concerning maternal health this law does not apply. The code states, “No person, by reason of any act mentioned in this section, shall be punishable where such act is done in good faith, with the intention of saving the life of such woman or child.”

What Comes Next?

Knowing your pregnancy options is essential so you can make a fully-informed choice. We’re here to help; contact us today and allow us to serve you with free pre-termination counseling, testing, and imaging. We want you to be confident and supported in your decision as you proceed in your journey.